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Columbia County, Arkansas, has an annual GDP of approximately 1.25 billion dollars and a GDP per capita of about 55,117 dollars, reflecting a robust economic performance with a growth rate of 3.2% over the last year, outpacing the state’s growth rate of 1.3%. The county's economy is heavily reliant on goods production, contributing 54.3% to its GDP, which is significantly higher than the state average of 22%. This strong goods-producing sector positions Columbia County favorably compared to other counties in Arkansas, such as Pulaski and Benton, which have lower goods-producing contributions. While the county's GDP per capita is slightly below the state average of 54,988 dollars, its growth trajectory and industrial focus suggest a promising economic outlook relative to both state and national trends.
Columbia County, AR, exhibits an employment rate of 63.8% for individuals aged 20-64, which is notably lower than both the state average of 69.3% and the national average of 73.8%. The county's employment rate for high school graduates stands at 58.8%, significantly trailing behind Arkansas's 63.4% and the national figure of 67.9%. However, Columbia County performs relatively well in terms of employment for those with a bachelor's degree at 82.5%, close to the state average of 83.5%. The employment rate for Black individuals in Columbia County is 47.3%, which is below the state average of 52.1%. Overall, while Columbia County shows strengths in higher education employment, it faces challenges in overall employment rates compared to both state and national benchmarks, indicating potential areas for economic development and workforce improvement.
Columbia County, AR, exhibits a challenging economic landscape, with a mean household income of $47,441 and a median household income of $72,061, both significantly lower than the state averages of $56,335 and $79,592, respectively. The county's income per capita stands at $27,243, which is also below the state average of $31,868. Notably, Columbia County has a high percentage of households earning less than $20,000 (23.1%), compared to the state average of 16.3%, indicating a greater prevalence of low-income households. The income inequality, as reflected by a Gini index of 0.5224, is higher than both the state (0.4821) and national averages (0.4829), suggesting a widening income gap. Overall, Columbia County's economic indicators highlight significant disparities compared to both state and national benchmarks, emphasizing the need for targeted economic development initiatives.